A Lesson In Motives

wasn’t birthed out of a pure motive, but because she wanted something out of it. *They no doubt knew the importance of worship, and the fact that things do begin to happen when we worship God. So she, along with her sons, comes to Jesus with a plan, a scheme, with an ulterior motive.

And that brings up an interesting point, that is very much a part of ulterior motives, and that is the word MANIPULATION. That is always at the root of any actions produced by ulterior motives. Husbands do it, wives do it, and children do it. They seek to secretively sway the circumstances in a position that will be favorable for them.

And that’s what we see in the text. But how many know that God looks at the heart? He doesn’t look at the clothing, but He sees beyond the facade, and into your motives!

*And you better get this: Worship does move God, but it does not manipulate God! Yet, you would be shocked to know how many people involve themselves in Spiritual activities for the wrong reasons. Take for instance this "Word of Faith" teaching, which promotes high levels of prosperity and increase. When you boil it all down, they are teaching people to give just to get back. The Bible says to be a cheerful GIVER, but they are giving in anticipation of being a cheerful RECEIVER! The motive is wrong!

And so here, we see a woman with her sons, coming in what should be a sacred act of worship, but they come with a plan, a scheme, another desire. They’re not coming because they want to give honor to Jesus. They’re coming to get something from Jesus! *And there are many people today who come to the Lord for the wrong reason!

*Listen: That’s one reason why some people don’t last. Because they came to the Lord "with an understanding" that God would do what they want Him to do. And when that didn’t happen, they quit! You see, when people do something for the wrong reason, they won’t do it for long! (They’ll still want the allowance, but they won’t make the bed.)

And so this woman came with her sons. And if I had time, I would preach on, "Why ya gotcha Mama talkin’ for you anyway?" She comes, and worships, but Matthew records that she wanted something. And it doesn’t appear to be too far into her worship, before Jesus interrupted and said, "What do you want?"

Now, knowing that He wasn’t ignorant of her intentions, I see this as a question asked in disgust or displeasure. I see Jesus disheartened, because the motive wasn’t right. She was doing the right thing, but for the wrong reason. I can hear Him say, "What do you want when you act like that?" Because that’s what it was - it was an act!

But when Jesus called her to identify her motive, what gets me is, she didn’t even stutter! And she didn’t say, "O, I just want to worship you, Lord." She just looked right at Him and said, "I want you to grant that my two sons may sit on your right hand, and left hand in your kingdom." She used worship as a decoy, to conceal or clothe her true intention.

She came scheming, saying, "You like worship? Okay, I will give you worship. And in return, hook my boys up!" And Jesus told her, "You don’t even know what you’re talking about!" I can hear Him talking today, saying, "You might as well get up."

And one of the things she wanted was to bypass the process involved in attaining the next level. People do it all the time.